Rekha Basu, in typical style, labels Congressman Steve King a racist and a white supremacist in her Dec. 12 column, "Why do King’s voters keep indulging his racism?" She mischaracterizes his quotes. For example, he says he wants immigrants to assimilate into American culture. This is the melting pot philosophy that has been the hallmark of America since it was founded. This is why we have "E Pluribus Unum" on our currency which means "out of many, one." We have a history of standing for equal rights and laws for all. For a group of people to live in peace, everyone must adopt the common culture of this country.

Steve King opposes things that threaten U.S. common values. In the eyes of those who share views with Ms. Basu, opposing this is seen as racist. Those who call for completely equal treatment of everyone are called racist. King does not believe that whites are superior, but that the common values of our Constitution and laws should be adopted by anyone who wishes to be a citizen of this country.